The January 27, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes a long-time Halo leaving the organization, the team’s final arbitration-eligible player agreeing to salary terms for the coming year, and more…
The Story: Efren Navarro traded to Orioles for cash considerations
MWAH Says: Navarro’s tenure with the Angels organization ends just shy of a decade. The former 50th (!) round pick had to beat all sorts of odds just to get to Anaheim at all, so that he ended up with 130 games and 280 plate appearances between 2011-2015 is incredible. I sincerely hope he gets more of an opportunity to prove himself with Baltimore. He’s always had the glove and the level-headedness to succeed at the big-league level, and now he gets a lefty-friendly home park to potentially boost his numbers at the plate. We wish him the best.
The Story: Kole Calhoun, Angels avoid arbitration with $3.4 million deal
MWAH Says: I really thought the Halos would be able to hook Calhoun in on at least a two-year deal to bring his overall cost down some for the 2017 luxury-tax payroll, but I guess not. Other than with the Trout extension, the Angels haven’t bought out multiple years of a player’s arbitration time since Ervin Santana way back in 2009. Seems that’s just another thing Moreno doesn’t like doing for some reason.
The Story: Calculated risks led to current LF void for Angels
MWAH Says: Alden Gonzalez gives a solid and easy-to-follow breakdown of what put the Angels in their current financial situation. It’s reasonable, but only really fits together nicely if you believe the luxury tax is the major impediment Arte Moreno makes it out to be. (I don’t.) Also not sure I’d call Vernon Wells and Josh Hamilton calculated risks. “Reckless” or “severely miscalculated” seem more appropriate.
The Story: Cuban prospect Lazaro Armenteros close to a decision
MWAH Says: The 16-year-old phenom outfielder is expected to sign with a big-league club on February 10, his first day of eligibility. Unfortunately, the Angels won’t even be at the table (or any other amateur international signing) because they’re barred from any signings over $300K for the next two years. But hey, at least they have Roberto Baldoquin… -___-
The Story: The 20 worst position players of 2015
MWAH Says: Matt Joyce was the ninth-worst position player in baseball last year by fWAR. Also on the list were Conor Gillaspie (12th) and Marc Krauss (16th). Falling just outside the bottom 20 is new outfielder Craig Gentry, so that’s something.
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